Dogpatch USA - Abandoned Amusement Park with DJI Mavic Mini Drone

Dogpatch USA was a theme park located in northwest Arkansas along State Highway 7 between the cities of Harrison and Jasper, an area known today as Marble Falls. It was opened in 1968, and was based on the comic strip Li'l Abner, created by cartoonist Al Capp and set in a fictional village called Dogpatch. Dogpatch USA was a commercial success in its early years. Investors tried to parlay that success into a sister park, "Marble Falls," planned with a ski resort and convention center. The venture failed and led to the park's closure in 1993. The property then fell into disrepair. Parts of the park have been divided up and sold, and the main area has been bought, sold, and foreclosed on several times. Attractions Trout Pond - Park visitors could rent fishing equipment and go fishing in the pond, which was deliberately overstocked so it would be easy to catch fish. Dogpatch Caverns - A nearby show cave that was incorporated into the park. It had been a tourist attraction since the late 1920s, and in 1949 it was purchased by the Raney family and named Mystic Caverns. It was sold to the developers of Dogpatch USA in 1966, who renamed it "Dogpatch Caverns." The cave was renovated and many safety issues were addressed. During renovations, a second cave was discovered next door; it was named "Old Man Moses Cave" after a Li'l Abner cartoon character, and barricaded to preserve its pristine condition. Peter Bella Grist Mill - This was a historic mill originally built on the property in 1834. It was restored during the initial construction of Dogpatch in 1968. West Po'k Chop Speshul- This was a miniature train with passenger cars. It carried guests on a circular track around the park. At the time of its construction, it was the first and only railroad in Newton County, Arkansas. Cornvention Center - This was a venue where musical performances were given. Frustratin' Flyer - This was a steel Wild Mouse roller coaster. It was a "Monster Mouse" model manufactured by the Allan Herschell Company. Installed in 1968 for the park's debut, it operated until 1991. Dogpatch USA brochures after 1973 continued to show a Monster Mouse in operation. Earthquake McGoon's Brain Rattler - This was a toboggan roller coaster by Chance Rides. The ride was part of the park when it was opened in 1968. In early brochures it was depicted as being a track wrapped around an enormous tree, but the ride was actually made of metal. Since 1993, the ride has operated as the Wild & Wooly Toboggan at Little Amerricka amusement park in Marshall, Wisconsin. Funicular Tram - A "decliner inliner", the tram was used to transport visitors from the parking lot into the park below. It was purchased from an unknown manufacturer in Switzerland and shipped to Dogpatch USA at a cost of $250,000. Installed in 1970 and opened at the beginning of the 1971 season, it could transport 1,700 guests per hour at a speed of 13.5 feet per second. Boat Train Ride - This ride was introduced at the beginning of the 1972 season. A motorized lead boat piloted by a Dogpatch employee pulled a train of non-motorized boats behind it. The boats followed a route going up creek to the Grist Mill and back again. Hairless Joe's Kickapoo Barrel - This ride was introduced in the 1974 season. It was a rotating thrill ride. Barney Barnsmell's Skunk Works - This was introduced in 1977. It was a building full of complicated contraptions reminiscent of Rube Goldberg's designs. The machinery's purpose was the production of homemade soap; the Springfield News-Leader referred to the attraction as the "Skunk Works Soap Factory." Slobbovian Sled Run - This was introduced in the 1977 season. Guests rode on sleds mounted on teflon runners. The sled run was intended to operate similarly to a waterslide but without water. Li'l Abner's Space Rocket - The ride was added in 1978. It was a simulated trip into outer space. Trash Eaters - The park had trash cans equipped with huge animal heads that "ate" (sucked) the trash out of patrons' hands. The heads were shaped like goats, pigs, and even razorbacks, and the unusual design encouraged patrons to properly dispose of their litter by making it an amusing experience. The trash eaters used an unusual design. There was a blower motor inside the trash eater "house." The inside of the "house" was sealed so that when the door was shut, a vacuum was created which sucked trash into the trash eater's mouth. The trash then hit a stop and fell into the trashcan located inside the trash eater "house". Dogpatch Cabins - Guests could tour several cabins that were the "homes" of various Li'l Abner characters. These included Mammy and Pappy Yokum's house and Li'l Abner and Daisy Mae's house. Some of the cabins were authentic cabins from elsewhere in the Ozarks that had been purchased and rebuilt at the park during its 1968 construction. Dogpatch Auto Drive - These "antique" cars were gas powered, 5/8 size, model T cars made by Arrow Development.